Found a heavy hitter in Elmhurst. ​Eim Khao Mun Kai is doing one thing, and they're doing it better than anyone else. If you're looking for a massive menu, keep walking. This spot is a 3-table operation focused entirely on perfecting Thai chicken rice--and they nailed it. ​The move here: ​The Chicken: Poached to absolute perfection. Tender, juicy, no fluff. ​The MVP: The chicken heart. It was so good I had to double down and order a second round. If you know, you know. ​The Rice: Fragrant ginger rice that actually has flavor, paired with a radish broth that hits the spot. ​The Sauce Science: They let you mix your own. I went with the soybean paste + ginger-scallion combo. It's addictive. Do not skip the ginger-scallion. ​Washed it all down with a solid Thai tea to balance the heat. It's a tiny shop with efficient service and zero ego. A total hidden gem. I'll be back. ​ 81-32 Broadway, Elmhurst ​#ElmhurstEats #QueensFood #KhaoMunKai read more

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Eim Khao Mun Kai was one of the first shops, if not the first, in New York City that focused on selling Hainanese Chicken Rice exclusively, and it's kind of cool to see imitators spring up all across New York City. Unlike restaurant versions which are often poached and include bones, the Hainanese Chicken Rice sold in these shops exclude the bones, and adds sides of rice and chicken soup. Eim only sells one version of its Chicken Rice -- poached dark meat, while some competitors offer different cuts and fried versions. Ticket times are generally quick as a result. We often just pick up a Set A for 1 (currently for $12.99; $14.14 with tax and by cash), and complement that with dishes from other nearby restaurants -- there are a wealth of excellent options, some even on the same block. The spicy ginger sauce -- the "secret sauce" that distinguishes Eim from its competitors, might be an acquired taste, but it is quite an addicting kick. The spicy ginger sauce also helps mask some overcooking issues. Fans take note that Eim recently began to offer its spicy ginger sauce for sale separately, for $10.89 plus tax for a 12-ounce bottle. Eim keeps to a street food motif with a preparation area that looks like a street cart, and by wrapping take-out orders in butcher's paper. This small shop has seating for about 13 people -- two tables of three, two tables of two, and three counter-height seats. There are no customer accessible restrooms. read more

Eim Khao Mun Kai Elmhurst - Steamed Chicken Set for 1: $10.89 (with tax). Take-out. Not shown -- soup and sauce. - Thai Near Me - Elmhurst, New York

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4.5 We really liked the food here. Got the chicken set for 2. Each bite of chicken/gizzard/liver and rice with the condiments was flavorful. Wished there was more liver. Like a deconstructed and dry version of a filipino soup I love called Chicken Tinola, with similar ingredients too. The set came with soup - was mild and good. I added a bit of the ginger-scallion condiment and liked that too. I think it's the first time I tried Thai iced green tea - slightly sweet for me but lighter bec with half and half. Couldn't give this place a 5 stars though because of the heat. We went there when it was at least 90 degrees, and didn't know it wasn't air-conditioned. There was only 1 oscillating fan which was only ok when it was pointed at our direction. Once it turned, I had to keep fanning myself. The iced drink was refreshing but wasn't enough. We would have left if only we weren't set on trying their Hainan chicken. Will surely return, on a not so hot day. Service was great. Food came out quickly. It must've felt hotter for the staff being in the kitchen but they still had smiles. Nearest train station is Elmhurst Ave stop of M, R and some bus lines along Broadway, but not too far from Roosevelt Ave-Jackson Hts station. Has 4 small tables, and counter seating for 3. No restroom. Cash only. read more

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The go to here is the Hainanese chicken rice. It's their specialty and it shows. Wonderful cooked chicken. Tender flavorful and a chicken rice which exudes chicken flavor as the rice is cooked in the chicken broth. Go for the meal set and you will be satisfied and it doesn't disappoint. read more

Specialized in one item and it was an excellent and tender chicken with reasonable prices; quick service efficiently provided the food. read more

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Simple no frills "food stand" that sits within a restaurant front serving one dish and one dish only: steamed chicken and fragrant scallion rice. I am always a fan of these hyper specialist places because I figure if you only sell one dish it must be really good. The chicken is tender yet light on flavor, so the included sauces (one soy based and one chili sauce) are a must. However the rice was delicious and fragrant, a complementary pairing to the chicken. They also included some chicken gizzards and liver if you are a fan of those, but for me I could do with or without. Overall a solid place and worth a repeat visit in my book. read more

Eim Khao Mun Kai Elmhurst - Steamed Chicken for Set 1 - Thai Near Me - Elmhurst, New York

I love this place, it is just so simple and straight forward and they always taste great. It is a very small eatery but it doesn't get too packed so I've never had any trouble getting a table. They serve one thing, Hainanese chicken sets with liver and gizzard, ginger fried, and a side of radish soup. The rice and the tender chicken tastes super clean and even the gizzard and liver is not covered in any unnecessary sauces. That being said, they do have some sauces on the side for you to add more flavor to your food if you are looking for more flavors or spice. The radish soup tastes so nourishing and it tastes like you're eating at home and not at a restaurant. Definitely a place that you must check out if you're looking for something that is filling but still what to have a nice lightness after your meal. read more

Eim Khao Mun Kai Elmhurst - Steamed Chicken for Set 2 - Thai Near Me - Elmhurst, New York

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Eim Khao Mun Kai is one of Queens' favorite spot for khao man gai aka Thai-style Hainanese chicken. This is a dedicated spot that's built around this one dish: poached chicken over ginger rice. The chicken is super tender, almost silky, laid over fragrant ginger rice. You also get a light, clean broth on the side. I like to use a combination of the minced garlic and sauces they offer (ginger oil, spicy sauce, and soy sauce) with my chicken and liver. The sauces completely change each bite. Their Thai iced and Thai green tea are great too! Khao man gai is one of those dishes that looks basic, but everything has to be done right and here, it is. It's also one of those meals you could eat all the time! Eim Khao Mun Kai (81-32 Broadway, Elmhurst, NY 11373) Open daily 10:30am-3pm, 3:30-8pm read more

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Cash only. We did takeout as the rest of the family member wanted Jollibee. My wife doesnt like Jollibee , so she ordered from here. We ordered the set A meal for 1. Price was $12.99 plus tax. It is $14.14. My wife only has $14.13 for exact change, and missing 1 penny. The counter lady said no. We need $14.14. My wife found a quarter. She gave $14.25. The counter lady told her, no change, ok? Lol. I just thought it is funny that it is a cash only place, but doesnt offer change back. I personally thought why are they charging 14 cents, and not round up to 15 cents if US govt doesnt produce penny anymore, and this place has no intention of giving change? Or stop the gimmick. If it is cash only, then state the price with tax included, and not end with 99 cents. Food. As others has noted. It is package in a paper, wrapping the food. I thought it is pretty cool. Portion is ok, probably smaller than a regular chinese takeout. It came with soup. Since it is a small portion, I only grab a little bite to try. I like the rice, has stronger ginger taste. Not a big fan of the sauce, prefer the traditional scallion sauce. I know this is thai style. My wife has the rest and she didn't think it was worth the $14. I guess she also prefer the Malaysian style. I will give this 2 star. I give 4 star for the food, 1 star for the service. read more

Eim Khao Mun Kai Elmhurst - Menu - Thai Near Me - Elmhurst, New York

Food here is delicious!! Small store front w several tables & counter to sit & eat!! Chicken w organ meats over garlic rice w soup, Thai Ice Tea & Thai Green Tea were all so good!! Quick, friendly service!! Will be back!! Nice ambiance as well!! read more

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Food: I LOVE this restaurant! This restaurant deserves more attention and recognition for their food. This is a Thai restaurant that specializes in Hainanese chicken with rice, and that is the only thing they serve. Their menu is very simple, offering only the chicken and rice with some drinks (meals A, B, and C with the different being the portion sizes/how many people are eating). I was super impressed by their food; it seems like a very simple dish, but it's delicious. The chicken is so flavorful and moist. The rice is seasoned and so tasty. There are a variety of sauces and toppings on each table that you can add to your dish. Everything is perfect about the food here, and I would highly recommend you give it a try. Service: Staff were friendly and welcoming. Ambiance: The place is very, very small so you might have to wait for a table. They have about 4-5 counter seats and two or three smaller tables. Larger groups might be tricky for this place, but they have a round table that can fit 6 people at most. Space is definitely tight, and seating is not the most comfortable, but it's worth it for the food! Overall, I would HIGHLY recommend this restaurant! read more

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This is my go-to spot in Elmhurst for a quick, no-frills cheap, high-protein meal. In fact, I've even converted a few friends into regulars. Surprisingly, there's some competition with other Malaysian restaurants in the area for Hainanese Chicken but this would be my preference because of the variety of sauces and you can see the fresh chicken that they serve. The chicken is generally tender and I love that they include pieces of liver and gizzard to mix up the texture. To be honest, I probably wouldn't enjoy the food as much if they didn't have the sauces and the flavorful ginger rice, which significantly takes it up a notch. The daikon soup is also nice as a side but too much flavoring for my taste. It's not exactly a hole in the wall but it's a step up with a good amount of seating and service. The service here isn't exactly always convincing enough for me to want to come. They're not exactly service-oriented or seem to put much care or effort--and yes, I get that it's a no-frills place but 1/5 times they won't serve you water unless asked, expecting you to order a drink, which they fill with ice to the top (even if asked not to). They also seem to always be SUPER rushed and try to clean your table the moment they catch you taking a break and not eating or drinking--even when business is slow. Despite the average service which I overlook most of the time, I generally like coming here for a nice hot meal that's simple yet rich in protein but there's almost always never without some kind of stress dining here. read more

definitely feels like the most authentic chicken rice ive had outside of asian. servings come with chicken gizzard and liver - the first i wasnt a fan of but the second i really enjoyed. theres also still bones in some of the chicken so avoid coming if you dont want to deal with that. rice is really good and definitely flavored with chicken stock. very limited seating inside, lychee thai tea is amazing too. read more

Eim Khao Mun Kai Elmhurst - set b - Thai Near Me - Elmhurst, New York

$12.99+tax for a single serving, portion is a bit small, the staff also didn't give sauces for takeout order while dine in customers can just grab some on the table. Takeout order is wrapped with paper. Chicken is tender. Cash only. read more

Food - 5/5 This Thai Hainanese chicken spot is bomb. They have a set menu for 1-3 ppl, we got the set for 2 people which came with 2 radish soups, a plate of chicken (it came with some organ meats), and ginger rice. They also offer 2 sauces on the side; ginger scallion and a thai spicy sauce. The chicken is tender, flavorful, and dipped in the combination of the 2 sauces, chefs kiss for such a simple meal. Service & Ambiance - 5/5 Small mom and pop shop vibes with fast service. Workers are friendly and place is clean. read more

Eim Khao Mun Kai Elmhurst - Thai Near Me - Elmhurst, New York

I have an addiction for Hainanese chicken and rice and I've hit a few good spots. This place is certainly no exception either. Options are rather limited in this place, in fact I think chicken over rice, along with gizzards was the only selection so I got the chicken over rice sans gizzard along with lemon Iced tea. The chicken over rice may be the only thing on the menu but they do it very well. The chicken was flavorful and tender, the rice was cooked just right, add soy sauce or spicy sauce for an added kick of flavor and there was also 3 cucumber slices and broth on the side which made for a great palette cleanser. Props to the servers in the spot. They were very accommodating and helpful. I've lucked out with the restaurants I've gone to with the waiters and registers just providing their best for the customer. I hope that streak keeps going. read more

Eim Khao Mun Kai Elmhurst - Hainanese chicken over rice along with chicken broth soup and Iced tea. - Thai Near Me - Elmhurst, New York

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This place used to be great when it first opened. I just ordered take out, a set for 3- since the kiddos were craving some quick lunch, and the chicken and gizzard that arrived are clearly days old, reheated, tough, chewy and dry AF. If you're going to serve only one dish, people assume you'd make it right for customers. This is the second time with this old chicken experience. Other local Thai restaurants serve up a better Khao Mun Gai at this point, with other options on their menu too. Looks like they invested in marketing and added branding to their bags and beverage cups. Wished they invested in maintaining their Khao Mun Gai recipe instead. Sorry, last time ordering from here. read more

**CASH ONLY** This place does one thing and they do that one thing very well. My boyfriend and I got the Set B for 2 people and the chicken was absolutely perfect. Also loved the daikon soup and ginger rice. Lychee juice to drink was good but not essential. Tip: Visit Pata Market next door afterwards for some dessert! read more

Eim Khao Mun Kai Elmhurst - Set b for 2 and Lychee Juice - Thai Near Me - Elmhurst, New York

Maybe my expectations were too high. I felt the food was mid. I got chicken and rice and literally nothing stood out to me.

I am so glad I decided to stop by this place. The chicken was so good. It melted in ny mouth. The soup was salty for me but it was refreshing. There was a cracked pepper kick to it and it hit the spot. My favorite was the rice! So flavorful and smelled so good. Staff were super friendly and the place is small but very chill. read more

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Very simple menu. Got the set for 2 people ($22). Came with steamed boneless chicken thigh with ginger rice, a few pieces of liver and giizzard, and daikon radish & scallion soup. Also some pieces of cucumber and cilantro. Everything was tasty and the price was cheap, I would definitely come back here if I happened to be craving hainanese chicken and was around the neighborhood! The chicken by itself was okay and didn't stand out to me, so you have to eat it with the scallion ginger sauce mixed with the soy sauce. The sauce is addicting! read more

Eim Khao Mun Kai Elmhurst - Steamed Chicken for Set 2 - Thai Near Me - Elmhurst, New York

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8.7/10 Simple menu means you get your food extremely fast! They are serving poached thai chicken which if you are unfamiliar it's like poached haianese chicken. I got it with my parents who love haianese chicken and we were excited to try this place. THAI GREEN TEA - they are one of the few places in the city doing thai green tea which has a nice mint/pandan flavor throughout it and less sweet than the orange type. Really good and actually I kind of like it more than the orange! COMBO FOR 2 Chicken was SUPER tender and juicy. really good quality and tasted healthy and clean. The chicken gizzard was a nice food adventure, not my taste but my parents loved it. The rice was fragrant and perfect texture. Warm soup was excellent to wash it down. I don't think they're the BEST version of this, but they definitely are worth noting in lists that examine NYC's best poached chicken scene (which is more competitive than you think!) I hope they stick around - my parents LOVED it and they've eaten a lot of poached chicken as asian parents in their 60s. read more

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Been an avid fan of this place for so many years, yet never get the chance to review them. I'm a big fan of Hainanese Chicken Rice ever since I first tasted it in Singapore hawker centers years ago. Eim Khao Mun Kai gives you that version here in NYC! This is one of my favorite comfort food still and forever will be. The ginger steamed rice, paired with the sliced chicken meat and the daikon chicken soup on the side, drizzle your chicken meat with the garlic, sweet soy and tge ginger chili sauce!! Yum! Absolutely satisfying! Ordered mine via Uber Eats and have it delivered without stepping outside. Cravings satisfied! read more

This place is a literal hole in the wall joint that takes cash only as it's written in bold letters at the cash register. If you need a restroom, this isn't the place as they don't have one for customers. This place has a few tables and countertop space for you to eat inside. There's condiments and sauces for you to use, too. I wasn't aware that they only had one main item on the menu. They have some sides that you can order too. But overall, it's straightforward how you go about ordering, and it comes out super fast as there's only one main entree. Overall, it wasn't super filling, but I felt okay afterward bc I wasn't hungry either. read more

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This used to one of my favorite restaurants but over years they keep raising the prices while food quality has gone down.

They do one thing here, and they do it well: Hainanese chicken. The chicken is steamed and incredibly juicy (even the white meat) - and paired with the ginger/scallion oil sauce, it is absolutely delicious. The rice is so aromatic, and I could literally eat a bowl of this by myself plain. Come by for a quick, delicious, filling meal on the cheap. Remember, cash only! read more

Eim Khao Mun Kai Elmhurst - Thai Near Me - Elmhurst, New York

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Very rarely will you walk into a restaurant and be transported to another place, but Eim Khao Mun Kai does just that. It maybe the chicken cart that looks like its straight out of a Thai night market in the shop, or the genuine smell of Thai chicken rice in the steamy air, or it could just be the food is just that good. It's because the food is just that good. For under $10 you get a meal that comes with chicken and rice wrapped traditionally in paper, along with seasoned sauces to kick up the flavor. The chicken and rice is amazing without it, but adding it on top brings a savoy sour level that will leave marks in your memory. It also comes with an awesome daikon soup. The chicken fat stock has just the right amount of salt. The staff is very polite and gets everyone their orders quickly. The options are mainly different sizes of the same menu item. Seating is available but small and can feel cramped at times. Take out option maybe your best bet if you are short on time. read more

First time visiting and it was a nice experience. The food was flavorful, service was decent, and the place had a comfortable vibe overall.

Food is always consistent and affordable. Easy pick up spot. No crazy big menu. The soup is so tasty and home made feel.

The cashier seemed rude to the customer. I don't know if she was expecting a tip when I was just buying takeout and paid the exact amount.The steam chicken was ok read more

I was in the mood for some hainanese chicken and decided to try this place. It was a cute little place with 3 tables. I ordered half a chicken and 2 ginger rice. It was delicious and satisfied my craving. I will definitely come back again. read more

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There once was a time when this spot WAS a hidden gem. The chicken was flavorful (even steamed one), the rice was moist, the soup was tasty and hot. Nowadays (I've tried twice in Dec and once in Jan), the steamed chicken is bland, the rice is hard and the soup is COLD. The price keeps going up but it seems the quality of the food is on a slippery decline. Please re-evaluate your practices. read more

Given how prevalent Thai cuisine is in these parts (#1), it only made sense for there to be a dedicated place that sells khao mun gai, aka Hainanese chicken and rice. The version served here at Eim Khao Mun Kai (which I'll refer to as EKMK from this point on) is probably somewhere in the middle of the spectrum for all the Hainanese chicken I've had. However, it's equally important for them to be here, so I'm definitely not mad at it. First things first, this place is tiny. Before their semi-recent renovation, it was a tight fit, especially with their Thai street side themed setup. The place felt dark, the stools with that narrow counter wasn't working for most patrons. Now the place is more modern and refreshed, but still small enough to where only a limited number of tables can fit, resulting in a line practically daily. During the pandemic, they shifted to a takeout only business and like many other bizes in the area, they took a hard hit. Service has been a little shaky since, but I trust they'll find their groove in time. I've heard most of the staff speaking Thai most of the time, but I have a suspicion they can also rock Mandarin given the clientele in the area. They sell sets based on a number of people eating on each one, which varies from $10-27 for 1-3 people. For $30, there is a family mix option, where one can a combination of everything, in which the portions are modest at best. While the original (steamed) is the most traditional and is often the crowd favorite, I tend to prefer the roasted chicken. The daikon radish soup that comes with the meal sets is really nice, especially during the winter time. Spice lovers will enjoy the spicy garlic sauce. It's a gamechanger. Like many places in Elmhurst, Chinatown, cash is king at EKMK. There are plenty of other places that serve Hainanese chicken, but there are still too few options for dedicated establishments like this one. Here's hoping they can up their chicken game down the road. ______________ (#1) Elmhurst, Queens yo. Woodside too. read more

Came here for lunch because of the great reviews but left disappointed Pros: - One of the best Thai iced teas - not overly sweet and hits the spot - Crispy chicken from the Eim Family Mixed Combo set was delicious - thin layer of breading and perfectly fried - Friendly service Cons: - Steamed chicken and grilled chicken were lacking in taste and texture - maybe we went on a bad day because all the reviews raved about the steamed chicken - Ginger rice was bland - Always appreciate a good cup of daikon soup but it had too much pepper in it read more

Eim Khao Mun Kai Elmhurst - Eim Family Mixed Combo Set - Thai Near Me - Elmhurst, New York

Steamed chicken set for 2 was only $22! Came with 2 sets of ginger rice and daikon soup, chicken, chicken gizzard, chicken liver, and cucumbers. The chicken was juicy but what stood out to me the most was the ginger rice. The rice was honestly the star of the show! It looks very plain in pictures but has tons of flavor. read more

Eim Khao Mun Kai Elmhurst - Steamed Chicken for Set 2 - Thai Near Me - Elmhurst, New York

I have marked this restaurant for long time ago, and finally went here few days ago. However, the chicken isn't as good as my expectation. They are using chicken thigh so it's tender, but Not the best Hainan chicken as other people describe. If you love Hainan chicken and see this review, I will recommend the chicken in a restaurant called Yummy Yummy(located in Bayside), their chicken is super tender and taste much better than this one. $22 for Combo for Two. I saw there is Krispy fried chicken and regular chicken available in Google Map, but only the regular chicken available now. read more

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$13 for 1 person +5 extra liver +7.50 extra chicken. Total $ 25.50 The food is still super clean. No over powered flavors and oil. Ofcourse very fast and efficient service. I live in the neighborhood. This place use to be different when they first open. The food use to be individually packed and more food. Now it has become more like a fast delivery chain offering less food for the bucks. Its now more like a lunch special packed full of rice and less meat. read more

This is our to go spot in Queens. We probably ate here over a hundred times for the last 5 years, and they've been entirely consistent with their recipe. I tried all the drinks here, but I recommend the thai green tea. It was smooth, silky, and very refreshing. The steamed chicken rice (5/5) was absolutely delicious. It was simple, fresh, and succulent. It's not written in the restaurant menu, but you can request for white meat only. The rice was cooked in the chicken's broth--it was savory with a fresh aroma from the ginger. The soup that came with it had a rich and savory chicken flavor. Make sure you ask for soup refill, not many people know that it's free for the first refill. Traditionally, this dish is paired with sweet soy sauce and chili sauce, which they have available in their set of condiments. The service here was fast as lightning. They're an eat in and head out type of restaurant. The space is small with three tables and counter seating. read more

Eim Khao Mun Kai Elmhurst - Thai Green Tea - Thai Near Me - Elmhurst, New York

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Solid spot for Thai steamed chicken (which is reminiscent of Hainanese Chicken, except way more sauces). The chicken is tender, the skin is delicious, and the gizzard/liver were decent too (usually not a fan). There were a large assortment of sauces/condiments to go with them, and the side rice/soup were also great. The drinks (tried lemon iced tea, Thai coffee, and coconut juice) were average, good for a hot summer day. All in all, solid spot! read more

Eim Khao Mun Kai Elmhurst - Steamed Chicken for Set 3 - Thai Near Me - Elmhurst, New York

It's a small space shop. I was recommended to come here and of course I had to check it out. It is owned by thai and when I walked in it felt authentic and didn't know what to expect. . Sat down at one of the small tables that sit 4. I took a look at the menu and already knew steamed chicken with ginger rice. Also throw in a coconut water too. . So the coconut waters comes with a few slices of coconut in it. For around 4 bucks. . Steamed chicken - soft and tender a mixture of white and dark meat I believe. There were no bones to it which was a plus. The flavor is light. To add more flavor you must add it yourself with the sauce tray on the table. . Sauce tray, had ginger scallion oil sauce, sweet soy sauce in a bottle. Thai chili like a paste which was hot. As well garlic chopped too. Also a red brown sauce which had a little bit of everything in it forgot the name but that was the best. . Rice , not heavy with ginger taste. It was good though. The rice was at least cooked right. But with all the sauce enhanced the flavor to the chicken and rice alot. If you just eat the whole dish without sauces then it's kind of plain with good herbs smell to it. . Price point was around 10 to 12 bucks. It was good and quality. Small portion it was like snack so it was perfect for me to try other food places nearby since this was just a snack. . Only take cash so bring cash with you. No cards here. . Overall I had a good experience. It was quick meal since they serve it to you like less than 5 mins. It's a plus if your starving and don't want to wait. Hope this review helps and have a yelptastic day! read more

Eim Khao Mun Kai Elmhurst - Such a good snack - Thai Near Me - Elmhurst, New York